Author
Topic: Fear of the future (Read 192 times)

I have no idea where it came from, but for a few weeks now, I've been dealing with a serious fear of the future. It seems like there are two sides of me: the side that is anxious and fearful and can't even plan events that I should be excited about, like going to try on wedding dresses and looking at potential houses; but then there is a normal, no anxious side of me that realizes that these fears are unfounded. I AM excited for my future and I know it'll be great (amazing fiancÚ, amazing family and friends, etc.). I just can't picture it right now and I know that's okay because it's uncertain.

The thing is, I cannot get over the fearfulness. Anxiety tricks me into believing that I won't be able to handle everyday stuff or a "real" job because I don't have one yet and have no idea what I want to do in that arena of life (funny since I've gone to college for almost 6 years now and already have one degree). I feel like I've lost a little of my optimism and approach everything with an anxious state of mind instead of a clear or unbiased mind. It's so frustrating! But I know I can get out of this because there are times during the day that I don't feel anxious at all, especially when I'm around my friends or family, at my current part time job, or in class/social situations. When I'm alone with my thoughts, it's the worst! I feel so different from normal people in those times and it's scary.

Part of it comes from having a bit of derealization for the past few weeks. I get a very unfamiliar feeling even when I'm in my own house and it fuels my anxiety and negative thinking, which I then project into my future as, "Well if I feel like this now under just a little stress, how am I going to feel when I actually have all these changes happen in my life or when I have to move out of my parents house for the first time, etc.?!"

I want so badly to be excited for these changes and my future in general, but anxiety is tricking me into being a scared little girl. I just want to know how to fix this and if there are any exercises I can do to reverse my thinking. I want to get back to the optimistic, happy-go-lucky girl that I used to be, because I know she's in there deep down! Any advice on how to deal with this issue is greatly appreciated!

"What if." two words that anxiety sufferers are all too familiar with. http://www.psychology-solution.com/anxiety/what-if this site gives a decent rundown of the issue, and why it happens. If nothing else, learning about it will help you understand whats going on.